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Origination Associate

Dark Alpha Capital is hiring a remote Origination Associate (BDR) – success-fee independent contractor – to generate proprietary deal flow through disciplined multi-channel prospecting (email/phone/LinkedIn via Smartlead & Apollo), qualify owners, book high-intent meetings, ensure CRM excellence, and fuel lower-middle-market acquisitions in key sectors like Industrials, Healthcare, and Aerospace & Defense.

Origination Associate (BDR)

Dark Alpha Capital (Independent Sponsor)

Reports to: VP Origination / Origination Lead

Location: Fully Remote (U.S. Eastern hours alignment required)

Travel: 0%

Contract Type: Independent Contractor – Success-Fee Only (commission-based on sourced/closed deals)

Posting Platforms: LinkedIn, Indeed, Handshake

About Dark Alpha Capital

Dark Alpha Capital is an independent sponsor focused on lower-middle-market acquisitions across Industrials, Industrial Services, Business Services, Healthcare, Aerospace & Defense, and Information Technology. We specialize in proprietary origination, disciplined underwriting, and rapid execution—partnering with strong operators and aligned investors to build lasting value in founder-owned and family businesses.

Role Summary

As an Origination Associate (BDR), you'll own the top of the funnel for proprietary deal flow. You'll research and build targeted ICP lists, execute high-volume multi-channel outbound cadences (Smartlead + Apollo + LinkedIn + phone), qualify business owners and intermediaries, book qualified meetings for the Origination Lead, drive NDA/CIM flow, maintain impeccable CRM hygiene, and track funnel metrics weekly. This high-discipline, metrics-driven role directly fuels LOIs and closed transactions in a fast-moving independent sponsor environment.

Core Responsibilities

  • Build, score, prioritize, and maintain ICP target lists by niche, MSA, and ownership type; enrich contacts and de-dupe records.
  • Execute and iterate multi-channel outbound cadences (email, phone, LinkedIn) using Smartlead.ai, Apollo, and LinkedIn Sales Navigator; test copy, subject lines, CTAs, and openers for optimal reply and conversion rates.
  • Qualify prospects on fit, size, timing, and intent; book and confirm high-intent meetings for the Origination Lead.
  • Maintain 100% CRM hygiene: log touches, notes, next steps, stages, and tags within 24 hours; ensure clean handoffs.
  • Coordinate document flow: secure NDAs, request CIMs, and provide full context during transitions to underwriting.
  • Report weekly funnel metrics (touches → replies → meetings → qualified → NDA → CIM → LOI → close) and identify improvement opportunities via experiments.
  • Monitor broker feeds, market news, and time-sensitive opportunities; escalate promptly.
  • Strictly comply with DNC, CAN-SPAM, privacy rules, and MNPI protocols; escalate any sensitive information immediately.

Must-Have Qualifications

  • 1–3+ years in BDR/SDR, outbound recruiting, agency sourcing, GE/VC platform outreach, or similar high-volume prospecting roles with daily targets.
  • Proven track record running multi-channel cadences, consistently booking meetings, and iterating messaging for results.
  • Disciplined CRM habits: logs everything within 24h, manages stages/tags/tasks, and lives by funnel metrics.
  • Strong owner/executive-facing communication: crisp writing, confident phone presence, effective objection handling.
  • Research proficiency: builds targeted lists, finds/enriches contacts, identifies decision-makers.
  • Metrics-oriented mindset: tracks and improves conversion rates through testing and analysis.

Nice-to-Haves

  • Experience in SaaS BDR/SDR, executive search/recruiting, GE/VC sourcing, search funds, or portfolio company GTM.
  • Sector familiarity with Industrials, Industrial Services, Business Services, Healthcare, Aerospace & Defense, or IT.
  • A/B testing experience (subject lines, CTAs, call scripts) with measurable lift.
  • Basic reporting/dashboard skills for weekly funnel readouts.

Core Tools / Tech Stack

  • CRM: Bitrix24, HubSpot, or Salesforce (stages, tags, tasks, notes, dashboards)
  • Sequencing & Email: Smartlead.ai + Gmail/Google Workspace
  • Prospecting & Enrichment: Apollo (contacts, data), LinkedIn Sales Navigator
  • Dialer/VoIP: Zoom Phone or Aircall
  • Verification/Compliance: NeverBounce or ZeroBounce; DNC/CAN-SPAM checks
  • Docs & Metrics: Google Drive, Google Sheets (weekly funnel tracking)

Working Model & Compliance

  • Fully remote; must align with U.S. Eastern hours for calls and collaboration.
  • Reliable high-speed internet, quiet call setup, and professional audio/video required.
  • Strict security: 2FA on all systems; files stored only in approved Google Drive folders with proper naming/permissions.
  • Compliance focus: No MNPI solicitation/sharing; full adherence to DNC, CAN-SPAM, privacy, and recordkeeping (all touches logged in CRM within 24h).
  • Note: This role does not solicit investments; any marketing materials follow approved 506(c) guidelines and channels.

How to Apply Email careers@darkalphacapital.com with subject line: “Origination Associate (BDR) – [Your Full Name]” Include:

  • Resume + LinkedIn URL
  • Brief note (≤150 words) on a past outbound win (your cadence strategy + measurable results)
  • Two samples: one cold email template and one phone/call opener script (tailored to a niche + MSA of your choice)

Equal Opportunity Employer

Dark Alpha Capital is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Reasonable accommodations available upon request.